The Way Ahead Page #3

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of the powers that be

to allow such a situation to arise.

Oh, I do agree, sir.

After all, it's not as if my activities were

confined to toys. I was in charge of officers' kit.

- Yes, and garden ornaments.

- I know, but it's the officers' kit which makes...

Well, never matter.

- I must say, I think the Ministry are ill-advised.

- About your case, sir?

In general, Parsons. In general.

- This free?

- I believe so.

Confidentially, I took the opportunity

of suggesting to the Managing Director

when I was saying au revoir, that Mr

Thyrtle is no longer pulling his weight.

That should do a lot of good, sir.

At any rate, I have taken the matter out of

the firm's hands and written direct to my MP.

- Who's he?

- I beg your pardon.

- Who's he, your MP?

- Sir Henry Chalmers Thompson.

Oh, old Liverlips. Talked for two hours and

a half on the Brompton sewage scheme bill.

Couldn't hear hisself for snores.

- Do you know Sir Henry?

- I'm in the 'Ouse.

- A member?

- No, I work there on the boilers.

They'll be sorry they let me go.

You wait till the winter. They'll be

asking questions in the 'Ouse, all right.

"Who let Ted Brewer go off to the Army?"

No-one can work them dampers like I can.

They'll freeze.

Are you called up? So are we.

All the same, I don't think you should

refer to Sir Henry in that way.

No? Listen, there's only one good man

ever got into Parliament.

- Who would that be?

- Bleedin' Guy Fawkes.

- I wonder what time we get to Hacklesfield.

- I've no idea.

Three eleven.

- Change at Crewe, don't we?

- Can do. Can do.

Or there's the Derby way.

That's more comfortable.

- Doesn't get you in till five seven.

- We've got to be there by four.

- What, you called up, too?

- Yes.

What, all of you? Go on!

- It's all adventure, isn't it?

- Depends on your previous occupation.

Oh, I was very well situated. Big

travel people. Butlers. Know them?

I suppose you know all the trains, then?

I don't think you'd catch me out in Europe.

Prewar, that is. I'm a bit continental

myself. Swiss grandmother.

- Your job's over for the duration.

- I don't know. People have still got to travel.

Pack up your troubles in your old kitbag,

I always say.

By the way, any of you in the Scouts?

Hurry up. The two-twenty'll

be here in a minute.

All right, I've only got one pair of hands,

haven't I? Yes?

If you're not too busy,

we'd like the same again.

I've had a wonderful life.

I can't grumble. It's all been like that.

- You got a car?

- Yes.

- What make?

- It's a Jowett.

There's a smashing little job.

I've got a Lagonda.

I'll race you,

soon as we get out of this ruddy army.

- Can't last much longer, can it?

- What, the war? I hope not.

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